as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mind
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
a novel that explores the psyche of a depressed teen
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Recent Examples of psych (up)
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Much of the area along Israel’s border with Gaza is made up of kibbutzim, and the communities have played an important part in the national psyche throughout the country’s existence.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
This yardstick of shopper psyche, created by polls that run to mid -month, date to 2007.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Munoz knew that in the past, wrestling against high-quality athletes like that could be devastating to their psyche.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Noun
The crummy season has had a dramatic impact on the collective psyche of the ski community here in Colorado.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026
Much of the area along Israel’s border with Gaza is made up of kibbutzim, and the communities have played an important part in the national psyche throughout the country’s existence.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
This yardstick of shopper psyche, created by polls that run to mid -month, date to 2007.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
Munoz knew that in the past, wrestling against high-quality athletes like that could be devastating to their psyche.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
-
The Texas Education Agency will meet with the Lake Worth community Wednesday as the school district braces for a state takeover.—
Lacey Beasley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Dean, as Ruby’s ambitious friend and mentor who is also braced for loss, is particularly outstanding, while Todd Field nicely depicts the solace and agonies one faces when establishing tight boundaries in life.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
George Kittle’s Achilles had popped, a devastating blow to the soul of the roster.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
While Natanya wears her admiration for big-budget affairs like Janet Jackson’s All For You on her sleeve, her vocal production still maintains traces of the more languid bedroom soul popularized by the likes of Steve Lacy and monte booker.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Food prices have been top of mind following a year of up and down tariffs and people losing SNAP benefits during the government shutdown amid growing economic concerns.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The shooting at Brown University and the deaths of two students that resulted will remain seared into the minds of Rhode Islanders for some time.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Overall, though, New Jersey didn’t land enough difference-makers to fortify the club’s supporting cast.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Foods like yogurt and kefir offer gut-friendly probiotics, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
What’s unique about Tasovská’s approach is that the entire film is composed of Jarcovjáková’s photographs, infusing her artistic spirit into every frame.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But there was no way to get out of it because that was just where my brain and my heart were.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Just reading the synopsis opened some deep door in my brain.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the speech, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, a Democrat who has led the legislature’s AI regulation push, said conversations were ongoing and that a task force created by Polis was readying language for more legislation.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The litigation is unfolding as SoFi Stadium readies to host 2026 FIFA World Cup games, the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympic events.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several districts in Kyiv were hit in the attack and an emergency medical aid worker was among those killed, according to Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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